Words fail me… But I decided to try. May Troy Davis Rest in Peace.

EULOGY FOR TROY

“Please try to remember that what they believe, as well as what they do and cause you to endure does not testify to your inferiority but to their inhumanity” – James Baldwin

I pulled up your picture last night.
I put my hand over your face.
I wanted to feel close to you.
I have called you Troy for years now.
We are not familiar.
I have written you letters.
I never expected a response.

I pulled up your picture last night.
I looked into your eyes.
I recognized you.
You have eyes like my brother.
And I am afraid.
I live with low-grade anxiety for the black boys in my life.
Nephews, Godsons, Someone’s Son…
America is hungry and insatiable.
It feeds on black blood.

I pulled up your picture last night.
Printed it out and put it under my pillow.
I wanted to make sure that I remembered.
I need to provide testimony.
I am called to confront injustice.

I had a dream…
My younger brother was falsely accused.
He was just a boy.
He survived their attempt to lock up another brother.
He was lucky? It was only an attempted soul-murder by the system.
I woke up and it was true.

I pulled out your photograph from under my pillow.
I tried to kiss it.
I wanted to breathe life back into your body.
I could not.
I decided to tell you a story instead.
One that is worthy of your legacy.
We were all so outraged by the injustice of your killing
That we joined hands and gave a mighty roar.
It was heard across the world.
And…
We abolished the death penalty.